Harchibald show just champion

Harchibald staked his claim for championship honours with a smooth success under a vintage Paul Carberry ride in the Pertemps ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle at Newcastle today.

The £75,000 (€106,837) feature – elevated to Grade One status for the first time – has gone in the past to the likes of Night Nurse, Sea Pigeon, Gaye Brief, Beech Road and Kribensis, and Harchibald looked a worthy winner as he cruised home without Carberry having to move a muscle.